Attack of the clones

Rating: 7/10 (12 February 2006)

Of all the Michael Bay-movies I've seen, there's only one I liked and that's THE ROCK. But with THE ISLAND I can add a second one to the list. It's a rather good sci-fi/action-movie of the same size as, for instance, I, ROBOT. Only, THE ISLAND is a bit more believable and realistic. It actually is thought-provoking and raises some ethical issues about the whole cloning theme (and others too).
I won't give a synopsis, 'cause the less you know about the plot, the better. Even seeing the trailer first spoils some things. The first fifteen minutes or so of the movie had me thinking "Nice, but I'm not buying it". But very soon (even sooner than Ewan McGregor does) you'll figure out that things aren't what they seem. McGregor and Johansson are attractive as the lead characters and deliver a solid performance. Even though Johansson hasn't got much to do in her roll as Jordan Two Delta, you can still she that she has grown as an actress since, for example, GHOST WORLD. Steve Buscemi is always good, no matter what the man does. The cinematography and special effects are nothing less than excellent, as to be expected with a Michael Bay-movie. There was a perfect mix between present day and futuristic technology, which was all in all believable. But maybe they should have made the time-setting the year 2050 instead of 2019. The spectacular car-chase (with the truck and all) was certainly one of the high-lights of the movie. And it got even better when they switched vehicles, taking the action literally to new heights. What bugged me a little bit, however, was: How could Lincoln Six Echo, with his lack of experience, possibly be a better pilot than those professionals? Because he clearly was, since he managed to shake them off. Oh well, you shouldn't mind and just enjoy the ride, I suppose.
Michael Bay clearly is an American 'pur sang'. And that's one of the things I'd like to hold against him. That characteristic of him very much shows itself in the redundant last half hour of THE ISLAND when Bay shoves us all sorts of politically correctness down our throat. Me giving examples would spoil too much, so judge it for yourself. I'll only say that the final 'freedom'-shot (even though quite impressive) made me go 'Oh, please, noooo". THE ISLAND actually should have ended with Lincoln and Jordan accepting their new identity, having the viewer decide what happens next. Granted, it would not be a spectacular ending as the one Bay came up with, but still Again, you shouldn't mind too much though, 'cause this is Michael Bay's THE ISLAND and not Michael Winterbottom's CODE 46.
Also, that last half hour contains the most unbelievable plot-elements of all (the hidden gun, too easily triggered explosions, no burn-marks when exposed to fire,...). So once again it's action over logic, but that's always the case with big-budget-popcorn-flicks, isn't it?
Finally, I might add that at one point or another THE ISLAND reminded me of Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD, LOGAN'S RUN, THE MATRIX, MINORITY REPORT and the afore-mentioned I, ROBOT. I must stress out the fact that THE ISLAND isn't a copy of any of those movies, but it just borrows some ideas & elements from them and simply reminds you of them. So if you liked those stories and movies, than THE ISLAND is right up your alley. And that goes the other way round too